Agrobiological characterization and variation of vitamin C and anthocyanins in Armenian eggplant landraces from the national eggplant collection
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v6i3.1936Abstract
Background: The importance of our scientific studies on landrace forms of eggplant lies in the fact that for a wide circle of society, Armenian cuisine is distinguished by the abundance of the fruits of this plant. On farms across Armenia, one can find numerous ancient landrace varieties of this plant, distinguished by their unique qualities, organoleptic properties, and taste. Historical data show that the Armenian people have been cultivating ancient landrace forms of eggplant for approximately 350–400 years. Landraces, ancient varieties of eggplant, due to their excellent growth and fruiting properties, have spread across various soil and climatic conditions, and their fruits are used for fresh consumption, canning, drying, and the preparation of other products. They are rich in various biologically active substances.
Objective: Study the content of vitamin C and anthocyanins in the fruits of locally valuable eggplant varieties.
Methods: In our experiments, we used several genetic resources of the local valuable eggplant collection. The amounts of vitamin C and anthocyanins were determined by standard spectrophotometric methods.
Results: Vitamin C in fresh eggplant fruits at the beginning of the harvest was 4.25 – 5.35 mg%, at the middle of the harvest – 6.25 – 7.35 mg%, at the end of the harvest – 6.15 – 7.85 mg%, and Anthocyanin at the beginning of the harvest was 3.25 – 6.32 (mass%), at the middle of the harvest – 6.63 – 7.18 (mass%), at the end of the harvest – 4.28 – 5.87 (mass%).
Novelty and Innovative Announcements։ Our research was conducted for the first time and made it possible to obtain local, valuable forms of eggplant with high bioactive compounds for functional food. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that by crossing the best selected landraces with different eggplant varieties, we can create new varieties with high vitamin C and anthocyanin content.
Conclusion: Among the valuable local landrace forms Yerevani bambak, Apagayi teghakan, Haykakan erkar, Haykakan sev, Teghakan sev, Teghakan khorovaci, Teghakan khaviari, Teghakan pahacoyi stood out for their high content of vitamin C and anthocyanin. These are valuable forms for breeding new eggplant varieties and hybrids used as functional foods.
Keywords: Eggplant; Landraces; Vitamin C; Anthocyanins; Functional food; Armenia
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Copyright (c) 2026 Pasquale Tripodi, Gohar Kirakosyan, Annalisa Cocozza, Marine Grigoryan, Gayane Shaboyan, Arus Zurabyan, Gayane Sahradyan, Arusyak Zhamharyan, Varduhi Vardanyan, Karine Sarikyan
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